News for social, fiscal & national security conservatives who believe in God, family & the USA. Upholding the rights granted by God & guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, traditional family values, "republican" principles / ideals, transparent & limited government, free markets, liberty & individual freedom. All content approval rests with the ARRA News Service Editor. Opinions are those of the authors. While varied positions are reported, beliefs & principles remain fixed. No revenue is generated for this site - no paid ads accepted - no payments for articles. Fair Use doctrine is posted & used.Editor/Founder: Bill Smith, Ph.D. [aka: OzarkGuru & 2010 AFP National Blogger of the Year] Contact: editor@arranewsservice.com (Pub. Since July, 2006)Home Page

One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics
is that you end up being governed by your inferiors. -- Plato
(429-347 BC)

Saturday, September 16, 2006

Arkansas Democrat State Candidates Fail to Answer Questions

Arkansas News Bureau, Little Rock: Statewide Democrat candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state and attorney general did not answer questions posed by a conservative pro-family organization for its online voting guide for the 2006 general election. The Arkansas Voters Guideis the Internet version of a print publication that the Arkansas Family Council has put out for 16 years. The guide prints the answers given by each candidate to a number of questions on topics, this year ranging from gay foster parents to the sales tax on groceries. The questions are not partisan and are about issues that have come up in the news in Arkansas. The questions covered several controversial topics in Arkansas politics, including the candidate's views on granting scholarships to the children of illegal immigrants and the Roe v. Wade court decision that legalized abortion.

Democrat Lieutenant Governor candidate Bill Halter spokesman said the conservative nature of the group had nothing to do with Halter's failure to respond to the questions. Democrat Attorney General candidate Dustin McDaniel spokeswoman cited time constraints for McDaniel not answering the questionnaire. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mike Beebe's campaign said "not every interest group's questionnaire can be filled out." Read More

Arkansas Democrats Favor of Hidden Earmarks

The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Capitol Hill Thursday to require sponsors' names on "earmarks," which appropriate money for specific programs. H.RES.1003 providing for the adoption of the resolution (H.Res. 1000) passed the with a vote of 245-171. The resolution does not stop earmarks but does require the disclosure of earmarks and the names of those representatives inserting earmarks (pork spending in many cases like the "Bridge to No Where"). Boozman (R) voted for full disclosure. The Democrate contengent of Marion Berry (D), Vic Snyder (D) and Mike Ross (D) voted AGAINST disclosure of earmarks.Vote recorded! [Editor note: if disclosure had been in effect, potentially Marion Berry and Berry Farms would not have received over $800, 000 in farm subsidies.]

Chaplain's Right to Pray

A bill protecting the rights of each chaplain to have the prerogative to pray according to his own dictates of conscience passed the house! It is being blocked by Senator John Warner (R-VA), head of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Warner has bowed to military brass who say that they should have the final say as to what comes out of a chaplain's mouth. More than 50 chaplains have been punished by the military for using the name of Christ.Click here for statement from Congressman Todd Akin (R-MO).Let's watch our Arkansas Senators to see how they vote! Read Realted article addressingNavy Chaplain Found Guilty of Praying in UniformTags:chaplain, Gordon Klingenschmitt, prayer, religous freedom

Holt & Halter to Debate

Senator Jim Holt (R) and Bill Halter (D), Candidates for Arkansas Lieutenant Governor will "square off" at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18 at the Clinton School of Public Service. Don Elkins, host of Arkansas Tonight in Northwest Arkansas, will moderate. Elkins will submit questions for an hour. Questions will come from invited students from the Clinton School, Lyon College, UCA and the UALR Law School. There is no public seating but the media is invited.ARRA Editor Comment. The ARRA has endorsed Senator Jim Holt. Jim has again shown his strength of character and his willingness to go anywhere to debate his opponent and to get the conservative message out. Monday, he walks right into a democrat stronghold where certain professors are actively working for the Democratic Party of Arkansas. Our prayers go with you Jim!

Vic Snyder Votes Against Securing Borders

Three Arkansas Representatives, John Boozman (R), Marion Berry (D) and Mike Ross (D) voted for the best interests of Arkansas and the Unites States on H.R. 6061, the "Secure Fence Act of 2006," which called for a double-layered fence to protect about a third of the long and porous border. However, Vic Snyder aligned himself with the liberal left and against the majority of Arkansans and voted AGAINST securing our borders. Arkansas voters of the 2nd District have the opportunity in November, to help both themselves and the rest of Arknasas by replacing Vic Snyder with a conservative candidate, Andy Mayberry, who will work to protect our traditional values and beleifs and to work for securing our borders!

University Officials Threaten to Arrest Conservative Student

Administrators at the University of Central Oklahoma at Edmond have threatened to arrest a student who was recruiting members for a conservative club. The student is accused of violating a university policy that requires permission to recruit for clubs. The student, Travis Cleek, was trying to identify fellow conservatives who were interested in starting a new conservative club on campus last week when police threatened to arrest him for trespassing, according to Michelle Miller, a spokeswoman for the conservative Leadership Institute. .... Miller called the lengthy process "pretty bizarre." .... it's "like the 'chicken and the egg' thing - how can you start a group if you can't recruit?" She said she didn't understand the process because "you have to recruit the people to start the group before you can start the process because you have to have the people."....Cleek called on the university to "end this bureaucratic process which stifles the First Amendment rights of students." He called it "outrageous that students have to jump through so many hoops and pay $200 just to have their voices heard on campus." Student groups are required to pay the $200 fee to reserve a recruitment table on campus. ... University officials did not respond to requests for comment ...Read More ...

House Passes Border-Fence Bill

(CNSNews.com) - Wasting no time on an issue of concern to many voters, the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill that would fence 700 miles of the U.S.-Mexican border.H.R. 6061, the "Secure Fence Act of 2006," calls for a double-layered fence to protect about a third of the long and porous border. A similar provision was included in a larger bill that the House passed last December, but with that bill stalled because of differences with Senate legislation, Republican leaders are forging ahead .... Democrats opposed The Secure Fence Act passed on a vote of 283-138, with 131 Democrats voting against the measure -- something that should concern the American people, Hastert said. "They don't want border security; instead they would rather jeopardize our national security and put Americans at risk" ... Read More

Democrats Running In Circles To Find New Direction

September 15, 2006: Dems are still grasping unsuccessfully for a theme that can draw in voters this fall. Dana Milbank reports in today's Washington Post "House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, the woman who will become speaker of the House if Democrats get lucky in November, began her weekly news conference yesterday holding up a red-white-and-blue brochure. "I hope you all received 'A New Direction for America,'" she said, standing at a lectern that bore the same slogan. She called the manifesto 'a compilation of many of the initiatives taken by our House Democratic Caucus that encompasses our new direction for all Americans.' It was a handsome booklet, full of homey photographs and popular proposals, but there was a problem. Democrats have had more 'New Directions' recently than MapQuest. Among the party's campaign slogans this year: ?Culture of Corruption,' 'Culture of Cronyism,' 'Do-Nothing Congress,' 'Rubber-Stamp Congress,' 'Together, We Can Do Better,' 'Together, America Can Do Better' and, most recently, 'Six for '06.'" Not exactly surprising that a party with no leader, no direction, and no ideas would have this much trouble coming up with a slogan that sticks. by Katie MacGuidwin on 9/15/2006

ACLU Attacks Christian Prayer at Football Game

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is representing three Muslim athletes at New Mexico State University who say they faced religious discrimination because their football coach allowed a student-led Christian prayer before games. Peter Simonson, executive director of the ACLU of New Mexico, said the football coach of a state university shouldn't be endorsing a particular religion. Read More

Christian Student Club Denied Equal Access

A Christian club told by Kansas school officials it could not meet on school grounds without paying a fee has filed a lawsuit. The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) is representing the student group. Students in the district formed a campus chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) only to be told by the school board it refused to recognize the group as a school club.Read More

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

U.S. Embassy Attacked in Syria

One day after the US remembered 9/11, terrorists attacked a US Embassy! Islamic militants attempted to storm the U.S. Embassy in Damascus, Syria using automatic rifles, hand grenades and at least one van rigged with explosives. Four people were killed in the brazen attack, including three of the assailants. No Americans were hurt, and the attackers apparently did not breach the high walls surrounding the embassy's white compound in the city's diplomatic neighborhood. But one of Syria's anti-terrorism forces was killed and at least 11 others were injured. The wounded including a police officer, two Iraqis and seven people employed at nearby technical workshop.Read More

Patriot Act Supporters See Success; Detractors Disagree

(CNSNews.com) - Critics of the USA Patriot Act warn that Americans' civil liberties are under assault, but national security experts see a strong correlation between new counter-terrorism laws and the absence of additional attacks since 9/11.Read more

Monday, September 11, 2006

Payday Lenders funding Arkansas Democrats

According to research conducted by Arkansans Against Abusive Payday Lending and reviewed by Arkansas Business, known owners and operators of payday lending stores have funneled more than $60,000 into political campaigns for the 2006 election cycle, almost all of which went to the Arkansas Democratic Party or to Democratic candidates. ... With $36,800 in donations, the Arkansas Democratic Party is the biggest political beneficiary of payday lenders for the 2006 election cycle. Next in line are specific Democratic candidates: Dustin McDaniel, the party?s nominee for attorney general, and incumbent Rep. Mike Ross each received $10,000. Attorney general and gubernatorial hopeful Mike Beebe received $4,000.According to Peggy Matson, executive director of the State Board of Collection Agencies charged with regulating payday lenders in Arkansas, these lenders are currently not subject to the Check Cashers Act of 1999, the controversial law that allowed the payday lending practice to expand throughout the state.Read more ...

9/11 (2006) Anniversary - AP Videos

4 Planes, 2 Towers, 148 minutes From the first take-off to the final tower collapse, a look back at the two hours and 28 minutes that changed everything. (Sept. 9)9/11 Ceremonies Underway President Bush and his wife, Laura, stood in somber silence on Sunday after laying wreaths at the site where the twin towers of the World Trade Center once soared. He later pledged 'renewed resolve' to remember the lessons of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.(Sept. 10)Cheney, Rumsfeld Honor 9/11 Victims At the Pentagon Monday, Vice President Dick Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld took part in a memorial service to honor the 184 people who died when American Flight 77 plowed into the building five years ago. (Sept. 11)President Bush Honors Flight 93 in Shanksville Steel gray skies spit cold rain on the Pennsylvania field where 9/11 families gathered to remember their dead with President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush. (Sept. 11)Remembering the Lost, Honoring the Dead A parade of spouses, partners and significant others gather at the World Trade Center site to recite the names of their loved ones, lost five years ago to the 9/11 terror attacks. (Sept. 11)Moment of Silence Marks First 9/11 Crash On the 16-acre expanse where the World Trade Center once stood, New Yorkers offer a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. EST, commemorating the exact time when the first hijacked jetliner crashed on 9/11. (Sept. 11)Anniversary Special Significance for U.S. Troops In the Philippines and Afghanistan Monday, U.S. servicemen talked about the attacks on U.S. soil, five years ago. (Sept. 11)

Lest We Forget - 9/11

Five years ago, America witnessed terrorism at a level never experienced before. Our eyes were opened, and our hearts were ripped apart with the images of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the crash site in Pennsylvania. On this day, Everyone is invited to remember those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. To remember the events of that day, below are several links:

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Democrats, Republicans Spar Over Immigration Ad

(CNSNews.com) - The Democratic National Committee is again calling for Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-R.I.) to denounce a television ad created by the National Republican Senatorial Committee that criticizes Chafee's primary opponent for supporting a controversial Mexican identification card.The ad criticizes Cranston, R.I., Mayor Steve Laffey for allowing city law enforcement to accept Mexican "Matricula Consular" identification cards that the Department of Justice has said opens the door for terrorists to live in the country undetected. Read More ... Editor Comment: Let's track what's happening with Mexican ID cards in Arkansas

People That Want to Kill Us - The War on Terror

Progress for America (PFA) began an issue advocacy effort that includes television advertising on national cable and on broadcast in Missouri, placing a sharp focus on the War on Terror. The first flight of ads began 9/7 and runs through next week.Go to ProgressForAmerica.orgto review the current video. Download it to share with friends and family.[ARRA Editor: To watch other ad videos released previously by partner groups on a more limited basis, go to MidwestHeros.com .]

First Lady Commissions USS Texas

GALVESTON, Texas (AP) -- The USS Texas, the Navy's newest 377-foot-long nuclear-powered attack submarine, was commissioned at the Port of Galveston Saturday as first lady Laura Bush gave the traditional command: "Man your ship and bring it to life!"... The submarine can attack targets with Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct long-term surveillance. It can dive to 800 feet. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said "such strength is necessary in the nation's war on terrorism." Read More ...

ACLU Attacks Christian Prayer at Football Game

The ACLU is crying religious discrimination for three Muslim student-athletes at New Mexico State University because coach allowed Christian prayer before games.Read More ...[Story by Josh Montez 9/7/06 Family News in Focus]

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